May 1968

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Transcript of May 1968

May 1968 The Student and WorkerProtests in France causes social economic Baby Boomers move to cities, their children overcrowd schoolsurbanization, less ruralnew youth cultureMarch 1968: students at Nanterre University, Paris demand the right for co-ed dorms increase in population (due to Baby Boomers)increase in industrial productionwomen are increasing part of the work force, especially to meet the demands of the auto industrydisagreements in pay/salary between men/women political Studentsbelieved DeGaulle's government was dull, outdated, conservative values

Workershad a broader, more political agendawanted: wage increases, ousting of DeGaulle The Legacy of May 1968 Charles de Gaulle Flees! Slogans - All power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely - On achète ton bonheur. Vole-le.- Those who lack imagination cannot imagine what is lacking.- Under 21? Here is your ballot! Good Vibes - France remains torn on the events of 1968- According to one recent survey, about 3/4 of the French population view the protests positively.- Viewed as ushering in a new era of liberalism and freedom (women's rights, education reform, etc)- Part of France's "spirit of revolution," starting from 1789.- Seen as a positive influence in a worldwide "year of revolution" (Prague Spring, Civil Rights Movement, etc). Not So Good Vibes? - Some left-leaning critics argue that May 1968 was a gateway to the skeezy 80s (and no one liked the 80s).- Far right is still deeply hostile to the legacy of '68.- In 2007 presidential election, Nicolas Sarkozy said that the "heritage of May 1968...must be defeated once and for all."- Political conservatives often blame failing education, rampant capitalism, etc, on the MORAL DECADENCE of 1968.- Daniel Cohn-Bendit, one of the student leaders, published a book called "Forget '68," saying that France needs to move on. The Events.... Cinematic Legacy May 29: -Moved private gov. documents-Left palace

-Expresses that he "is the past"

-France is unaware of his whereabouts for 6 hours

-Originally went out of discouragement

Impact: 'reminded' French citizens of what they might lose: national government shut down

May 30:-persuaded to dissolve National Assembly

-de Gaulle broadcast his own refusal to resign.

-announced an election, scheduled for 23 June

-ordered workers to return to work

- threatened 'state of emergency' if they did not comply - One of the causes of May '68 was a dispute about cinema.- 3 months earlier, Henri Langlois was sacked as the director of the Cinémathèque Française. - Langlois credited with inspiring directors like Truffaut and Goddard, as well as saving works (like Gance's "Napoleon" from oblivion and keeping French cinema alive during Nazi occupation.- Current spirit of cinema influenced by May 1968: acceptance of alternative media, "democratization of expression," new forms of art and culture- "Artsier" movies more accepted, more recognized (The Graduate vs. Doctor Doolittle, etc). Background... -Born in Lille, 1890-Joined military: graduated 13th in his class-was in both world wars-founded the Free French Forces-Prime Minister from 44-46-helped found Fifth Republic-Resigned 1969 Strikes & Protests Students Strike -Began at the University of Paris Nanterre with conflict between administration and students-University is shut down May 2, 1968-On May 3, students gather at the Sorbonne to protest the closure and expulsion of Nanterre students-Insitut des Hautes Etudes Cinématographiques and Ecole Nationale de Photographie et de Cinématographie are closed Workers Join - Started at Sud Aviation plant near Nantes- Not a Union run strike, though labor unions later supported the strikers but with reluctance-Estates General passes motion calling for a strike by all film workers and the shutting down of the Cannes film festival- 10 million strikers by late May (more than half the French work force) End of a Revolution Lost Momentum Revolutionary Sprit fades away the following monthsStudent Union called off Street DemonstrationsGovernment bans a number of leftist organizationsJune 16th - Police Retake Sorbonne Election of June 23 1968 Communist: 34 SeatsSocialist: 57Total Right: 353Clear victory for de Gaulle's partyLeft divided - Socialists feared Communist takeover Resurgence Bastille Day - Street Demonstrations in the Latin QuarterMix of protestLeftist Students - Red arm bandsAnarchist students - Black arm bandsUltimately failed, and the revolution was dead